Special Forces Group (Japan)

The Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群, Tokushusakusengun) is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's counter-terrorist unit established in 2004 by the then Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style attacks on Japanese soil[1] and to conduct military operations against guerrillas or enemy commandos.[2][3] The unit is based in Camp Narashino[3] in Funabashi, Chiba along with the 1st Airborne Brigade. The unit was formerly known as the Special Operations Group.[3]

Special Forces Group
特殊作戦群
Former flag of the SOG
ActiveMarch 27, 2004–present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleSpecial operations
Direct Action
Airborne assault
Unconventional Warfare
Reconnaissance
Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism
SizeClassified, estimated 300
Part ofGround Self-Defense Force
Garrison/HQNarashino Garrison, Funabashi, Chiba
Nickname(s)SFGp/Special Forces Group
(New Name)
TOKUSENGUUN,TOKUSEN (In Japanese)
SOG/Special Operations Group (Old Name)
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Takanori Hirata (Colonel)
Insignia
Identification
symbol		SFGp Pin Badge

The SFGp has been referred to as Japan's Delta Force,[4] due to their specialized role in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Personnel from the Delta Force of the U.S. Army had been responsible for assisting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in raising the SFGp's foundations prior to its establishment.[5]

The civilian counterpart of the SFGp are the police Special Assault Teams.

History

In 1998, the Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit within the JGSDF that would handle tasks such as counter-terrorism with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade sent to the United States to be trained by Delta Force operators.[5][6] At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade to be the foundations for the new unit. These consisted of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).[5]

The establishment of the unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organisation.[5] The unit's structure is based on that of Delta Force and Green Berets of the United States Army.[4]

On March 27, 2004, the Defense Agency activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its counter-terrorist unit.[5]

In 2005, the SFGp had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the commander of the JGSDF's contingent in Iraq under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.[4]

On March 28, 2007, the SFGp, along with the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, and the 101st NBC Protection Unit, became part of the newly created Central Readiness Force.[7][8]

The unit changed its English name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFGp or the Special Forces Group.[9]

On January 18, 2018, the SFGp conducted one of their few exercises before the presence of the Australian and Japanese prime ministers.[10]

Formation
JGSDF SFGp commandos standing at attention during a 2007 ceremony.
  • Commander (Led by a Colonel)
  • Executive Officers (Led by a Lieutenant Colonel)
  • Headquarters
    • 1st Department (General Affairs)
    • 2nd Department (Intelligence)
    • 3rd Department (Planning)
    • 4th Department (Supply)
  • Headquarters Administration Unit (Led by 3 Majors)
  • 1st SFGp Company
  • 2nd SFGp Company
  • 3rd SFGp Company
  • Training Unit

Training

Potential recruits to the SFGp are drawn from Ranger-qualified personnel of the 1st Airborne Brigade. As such, all SFGp soldiers are Airborne-qualified.[5]

For specialized training, the 1st Platoon have their free-fall training under the 1st Airborne Brigade with the 2nd Platoon under the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.[5]

The SFGp has a training facility inside the JGSDF Camp Narashino to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB tactics.

Weapons

Assault rifles

Battle Rifles

Sub-machine guns

Personal defence weapons

Pistols

Sniper rifles

Others

Equipment

The SFGp has access to equipment used by the JGSDF, such as the Komatsu LAVs and Toyota Koukidoushas for transport and reconnaissance use. They also work in conjunction with the 1st Helicopter Brigade to provide mobility support, though they can be also deployed via C-130 Hercules aircraft.[15]

Unit features

As part of regulating and protecting the identities of the various soldiers serving in the SFGp, their faces are hidden in balaclavas and cannot be revealed except with authorization from their commanding officers.[3][16] It is said that certain areas of Camp Narashino camp such as the SFGp barracks are inaccessible without the proper identifications.

References
  1. "Japan Sets Up Its 1st Special Ground Operations Unit". Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 2004-03-29. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  2. "What is the CRF （Central Readiness Force）？". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  3. 特殊作戦群 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  4. "Japan launches counter-terrorism force". The China Post. 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  5. [site=http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm "Unknown"] Check |url= value (help). Retrieved July 27, 2020. Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. https://medium.com/war-is-boring/japan-doesn-t-need-a-hostage-rescue-force-fe2f78649d68
  7. [site=http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/organization.html "Unknown"] Check |url= value (help). Retrieved July 27, 2020. Cite uses generic title (help)
  8. 일본 자위대 신속대응전력 대폭 증강 (PDF) (in Korean). Defense Media Agency. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  9. "特殊作戦群 Special Forces Group (SFGp)" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  10. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/special-operations/japan-highlights-sof-capabilities/
  11. 全文掲載：飯柴大尉の声明文. Retrieved on January 12, 2009. (in Japanese)
  12. 陸上自衛隊唯一の特殊部隊 特殊作戦群の解説 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  13. 自衛隊の採用する銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  14. 14hk093 (PDF) (in Japanese) Retrieved 2015-05-26
  15. "Japan Primer". University of Texas. 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2007-10-06. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. Nao Shimoyachi (2004-03-30). "GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
Miscellaneous notes
  1. ^ Companies of the Japanese Special Forces Group are under the command of a Major.
  2. ^ Company HQ and the platoons under it are also found within the 2nd and 3rd SOG companies.
  3. ^ Commanded by a Lieutenant.
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